"Lagniappe"
is an expression used in South Louisiana that
means "something extra". Each
year the local schools get a day off from
school. It's called Lagniappe Day.
Just a short note at the end of this historical day: On any given day it seems that we’re all little ants scurrying around on our separate chaotic paths. However, today, we all seem to be running in the same direction driven by our higher collective calling. It’s exciting beyond words. That said, here’s a link to our vision:
Drastic times call for drastic measures. In the current economic climate, you can’t let opportunities slide. The challenge is finding and optimizing the opportunities. My experience searching for opportunities in the past includes six cross country moves. Each move produced some level of success. Therefore, once again, I find myself taking the same desperate measure again. I plan to reside in New Orleans to continue my film career in a new environment.
This move will be a little different, though. I won’t be alone. This move will be with husband and dog in tow. We will not give up our current residence, maintaining two bases of operation: L.A. and NOLA. Finally, in Louisiana, we will be near family – a plus. (Thankfully, I have a supportive, self-employed husband who can live anywhere and has lived everywhere. The dog — he’s just happy to be wherever I am. We will need to find a sufficient yard in NOLA for running in large circles at break-neck speed, however.)
Once you make a decision like this, the stress level rises. How much will it cost? Will it work? How long will it take? There are so many unanswerable questions. To reduce the anxiety, research helps reassure the decision. But, I have also noticed that subliminal messages crop up everywhere like warm embraces whispering, “Everything will be OK.” Some messages are painful epiphanies. Some are refreshing revelations. Some are gut feelings screaming loudly. Nonetheless, they emerge and regardless how hard they can be to hear, you need to be open and listen to them, hug and entertain them.
As anxious as I feel, I know that each day will calm my nerves. With the freedom to discover, each day toward advancement creates optimism. For example: Twice this past week I heard a new Chinese proverb that says, “If we don’t change our direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed.”
It is so peaceful this morning, my first Christmas with my husband, Mark. All we hear are raindrops, feline purrs and the light tapping of Nicholas’ feet on the wood floors. Ahhh. What more can you ask for? I could relish this forever …
As we were taught in elementary school in south Louisiana, JOYEUX NOEL!
WE WON! My husband and I recently entered a photo from our wedding we call “Our Special Wedding Guest” in a photoshop contest on Comedy Central’s InDecision2008 website and … it won. HA! Here’s the link to the announcement of our award winning pic: InDecision2008 Go to see who our special guest was!
There was no money involved, so in sharing this achievement with everyone, we all get ZIPPO! But, have a little laugh.
OK – I’ve decided to go rogue and use the new headshot in the previous blogpost in spite of my agent’s opinion. She’s cool on it, but others like it. And, most important, I like it. The Maverick that I am will use it! Done.
In an economy that asks that we tighten our belts to protect our own financial house, I took steps to protect my little piece of the pie. One day, I made several sweeping strokes to reduce spending. Of those sacrifices, perhaps the greatest was to discontinue my gym membership. It was particularly painful not only because my career depends on good fitness, but also because I was soon to be a bride whose gown was a pricey and sexy little number by designer extraordinaire, Claire Pettibone. I wanted to rock it, of course, which would require discliplined exercise and nutrition.
There were additional challenges plaguing my goal. For one, we had a month-long trip coming up to the UK to visit family just weeks before the wedding, meaning not just a lack of work-out facilities but the temptation to celebrate would be insurmountable. In addition, even with an hour of cardio daily, I had reached a weight plateau unable to shed a single pound in prior months. Success seemed like a hopeless pie in the sky.
However, I couldn’t stop thinking about my amazing Claire Pettibone dress. Nor could I stop thinking about the fairy tale wedding we had planned. I may have been a mature bride, but the image in my head was that of a blushing princess. I intended to live up to that fantasy.
OK – Now, I can post ads again. No more campaign ads, no more smears, no more lack of control over the message of my website and blog.
That said, it’s time to move forward. For weeks/months, I’ve been focused on my wedding on October 4th. Since then, I’ve been obsessed with the election. That’s done and it’s time to focus on the smaller world: mine. Back to work. Back to dreaming.
To get “forward” started, I’m posting Imagine, by John Lennon. My brother, Jeff, read it at my wedding. The hopeful, peaceful lyrics mean a lot to family members and resonate today, which I think was made clear on Tuesday. So, here it are the lyrics:
